For the last 4 years the sub sector has carried out implementation of targeted food security and crop development programs. This is to be done through identification of horticultural crops as commodities with great potential for diversification and economic development.

The department has also given out 2 green houses in all 40 wards with the aim of transferring and promoting technology. It modifies the environment for crop production. We also distributed a total of 11.65 metric tons of cereal seeds and 800 Litres of liquid fertilizers to selected farmers through the County.

The department has also purchased and operationalized 8 tractors complete with digs and harrows. The tractors work in all 8 sub counties, hired by farmers at subsidized rate.

Introduced fish farming as strategy to ease pressure on Lake Victoria. The County Government has constructed and supplied fish farming inputs to more than 160 fish ponds across the county. Out of the 160 ponds, 140 fish ponds have been harvested earning the fish farmers more 9M Kenya shillings.

In promoting sustainable land use and environmental conservation, the department has undertaken construction of water harvesting pans for vegetable production. A number have been constructed countywide to increase production and availability of vegetables during dry spells.

Currently the county government is undertaking an accelerated value chain development in dairy farming which is intended to increase milk production in the county

Homa Bay County has been a net importer of poultry products and to reverse this situation and enhance peoples’ income, 302 incubators have been issued to various farmer groups. Since the introduction of the incubators in 2013, poultry population has increased by 60%.

The county government is partnering with two companies to produce fingerlings and promote cage fishing in the lake.

POULTRY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

A total of 303 incubators were distributed and beneficiaries trained on how to use them in all the 40 wards. They were to buy eggs, hatch them and sell chicks to other groups. A recent survey by the department of Livestock shows majority of the beneficiaries are making huge profits.

The Ogongo Women group is a suitable case study on how this initiative is changing the lives of women in the county. They have hatched 13,000 chicks in the past one year, which they sold at 100 each, netting Sh 1.3 million.